New York, New York. Here we are. We spent our first week staying here with the Tolmans and they have been absolutely awesome. We still spend most of our days here, which is a lifesaver. The first night in the hotel with the 7 of us was a nightmare. I was ready to quit right there and then. But the last couple nights have been much better. Hopefully it won't be too much longer.
And that leads me to the housing draw. Oh, the stressful event that is called the housing draw. So to give a little info about West Point... This is the location of the United States Military Academy. The university that Steve graduated from. Also the university that Steve will be teaching mechanical engineering. There is a lot of housing on West Point. Unfortunately, not always enough for those that would like to live there. And not always enough houses that fit the sizes of families. So on June 1st there was a housing draw. There were certain criteria that decided where on the list we would be found (the order of choosing a house). These are the items taken into consideration: First and foremost- room requirements (we had a 6-bedroom req.), then rank (Major) and date of rank (nov '10). On the list we were #19. There were six 4-bedroom houses up in the brand new neighborhood that we really wanted. Then there were about ten in the 3-bedroom new houses. We assumed we would end up with the 3-bedroom houses. A little bummed, but we still preferred that to some of the other 4- or 5-bedroom homes (older and smaller). Or there was the option to wait it out and get one of the new 4-bedroom homes in October. Oh, the butterflies in my stomach as we waited for them to explain the rules and finally get to the draw. Details aside, we got a 4-bedroom home in the brand new neighborhood! Yippee! And some of the greatest things about this- it backs a brand new park, is on a flat road (it is extremely mountainous here) and we should be able to move in on my birthday, June 13th! I am extremely anxious to get on with this next stage of life. It has been 2 1/2 weeks in-transit so far and I am ready to have my things and my own space. Without the Tolmans I would be going absolutely batty in that hotel room!
I miss my parents, I miss my friends, and I miss my house in Illinois. But I love the mountains and I love the trees and I know I will love more about New York as well.
